A special holiday on December 13 is the Day of St. Andrew the First—Called

December 13 (new style) is one of the key dates of veneration of the Apostle Andrew the First—Called. On this day, believers remember not only the memory of one of the twelve apostles, but also the symbolic beginning of the missionary path of Christianity in the northeastern borders of the Church.

The date has been fixed in the church calendar as an occasion for liturgical readings, penitential and thanksgiving prayers, and serves as a reminder of the continuity of the apostolic tradition. In Russia and countries following the new style, December 13 becomes the period when parishes and monasteries organize special services, home readings, and believers turn to the saint with requests and thanks.

The life and exploits of the Apostle Andrew

The Apostle Andrew the First-called was one of the closest disciples of Jesus Christ: according to the Gospel, he was the first of the apostles to follow Him and brought his brother Peter to Him.

Born in Galilee into a family of fishermen, he abandoned his craft when Christ called: "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." After Pentecost, Andrew went on a missionary journey. According to church tradition, he preached on the shores of the Black Sea, among the Scythians, especially in the Crimea and at the sources of the Dnieper.

The apostle suffered a martyr's death: traditions point to the crucifixion on the cross in the shape of the letter "X" in the city of Patras (Greece).

Folk and church traditions of the holiday

The celebration on December 13 combines church services and folk colors. Liturgies are held in churches, akathists and troparia are read to the Apostle Andrew, including that he "pray for the salvation of Russia and all Orthodox Christians."

Folk tradition in Russia gave this day special signs and rituals, especially for brides and boys: in rural areas, girls read fortunes for the groom, rituals with branches, mirrors, and rings were used. Also in the old days, it was believed that the day was associated with a close connection between St. Andrew and the sea: he is considered the patron saint of the navy and navigation, which is reflected in the military and maritime traditions of Russia, where the cross of St. Andrew the First‑Called was used as a symbol on flags.

At the same time, Orthodox practice emphasizes that the feast day falls during the Christmas Fast, so entertainment and lavish feasts are undesirable — prayer, abstinence and spiritual concentration are preferred.

Symbolism and spiritual heritage of the Apostle

The image of St. Andrew the First-Called is filled with significant symbols. His nickname "The First-called" indicates his willingness to respond spiritually to the call of Christ as the first among the apostles. The cross in the shape of the letter "X", according to legend, was an instrument of his martyrdom and became a symbol of sacrifice, humility and apostolic fidelity.

In the Russian Orthodox tradition, Andrei is perceived as the patron saint of Russia, the connection between Orthodox Russia and the Church of Constantinople, and therefore as a figure uniting the Orthodox spiritual and historical heritage.

For believers, December 13 serves not only as a day of remembrance, but also as a reminder of the vocation of every Christian: to be a witness of Christ, to bring the light of faith into the world, and to be responsible for the spiritual state of society.